Theo sat on the edge of his bed, the world outside his room feeling distant and muted. The sunlight streaming through the curtains was a stark contrast to the heavy darkness that surrounded him inside. He could hear the muffled sounds of life continuing outside—Freddie and Cami's conversations, the distant sound of cars passing by—but it felt like he was trapped in a bubble, isolated from everything and everyone.

His phone lay face down on the bed, buzzing intermittently with notifications he didn't want to face. Each missed call and text from Tory felt like a reminder of the life he was trying to escape. He knew he should reach out, but the weight of his grief was suffocating.

On the fifth day, the familiar sound of knocking brought him momentarily back to the present. It was Freddie and Cami, their voices light, calling for him to come out. But he remained silent, lost in his thoughts, unable to muster the energy to respond. The guilt washed over him, but it was quickly drowned by the overwhelming sadness that had taken residence in his heart.

When the knocking faded away, Theo thought he was alone again, but soon after, he heard another voice.

"Babe?" Tory called softly through the door, her tone filled with concern.

Theo's heart ached at the sound of her voice. He could imagine her standing there, worry etched on her face, desperately wanting to talk with him. He wanted to respond, to reassure her that he was okay, but the words felt stuck in his throat.

"Tory," he finally managed to whisper, knowing she could hear him.

"Please, let me in," she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm worried about you."

He closed his eyes, grappling with the emotions swirling inside him. He felt like he was letting her down by shutting her out, but he didn't know how to let her in without falling apart.

"I just... I can't right now," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Okay, I understand," Tory said softly, her tone shifting from urgency to empathy. "Just know that I'm here for you. I'll wait as long as it takes."

Theo felt a tear slip down his cheek, surprised by the depth of his emotions. The thought of Tory waiting for him, standing outside his door, made his heart swell with both love and guilt. He hated that he was hurting her by being so distant, but he felt too lost to reach out.

After a moment, he heard her move away from the door, and he felt a pang of regret. He wanted to tell her to stay, to let her in, but the walls he had built felt indestructible.

Time passed slowly, and the silence in the room became deafening. Thoughts of Tommy flooded his mind again, the memories of their brief yet impactful connection. The laughter, the shared stories, the way Tommy had believed in him. It felt so unfair that he was gone, leaving a void that Theo struggled to fill.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stood up, wiping his eyes. He approached the door and placed his hand on the knob, hesitating for a moment before finally turning it. The door creaked open, revealing Tory standing there, her eyes wide with concern, but there was also a glimmer of hope.

"Hey," she said softly, taking a tentative step forward.

"Hey," Theo replied, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry for... everything."

She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him, and for the first time in days, he felt a flicker of comfort. "You don't have to apologise. I'm just glad you're here," she whispered, holding him tightly.

Theo buried his face in her shoulder, the warmth of her embrace grounding him. Tory pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Theo's face as she searched his eyes for understanding. "Your mom told me what happened. I'm sorry," she said, her voice gentle and sincere.

Theo felt a wave of emotion crash over him again. Hearing her acknowledge Tommy's death brought both comfort and more pain. He nodded slowly, the weight of his grief still heavy on his chest. "It just... it feels so surreal," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I didn't expect to feel this way about someone I barely knew."

Tory squeezed his shoulders, her eyes filled with compassion. "It's not silly, Theo. Grief doesn't care about how long you knew someone."

He took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. "We talked about everything—life, dreams, fears. He was so full of wisdom and kindness. It just feels so unfair that he's gone."

"I can't imagine how hard this is for you," Tory said softly, her voice steady. "But you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you, no matter what you need."

Theo felt a flicker of gratitude amidst the sorrow. He could see the concern etched on her face, and it made him realise how important it was to let her in. "I'm really glad you came," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been so lost in my head, and I didn't want to push you away."

"You didn't push me away," she reassured him, her fingers gently brushing his hair back. "I just want to help. Let's take it one day at a time, okay?"

He nodded again, feeling the tightness in his chest begin to loosen just a little. "I'd like that."

—————

As Theo stepped into the dojo, the familiar sounds of training and laughter filled the air, but they felt distant and muted to him. The weight of his grief still clung to him, but having Tory beside him provided a sense of grounding he had desperately needed.

Miguel approached them with a sympathetic expression, clearly wanting to offer his condolences. "Hey, man, I'm sorry about your loss," he said, his voice earnest.

"Thanks," Theo replied, his tone flat but sincere. He felt the tension in his body and knew he needed to take a deep breath.

Tory squeezed his hand a little tighter, offering silent support, and he appreciated her presence more than he could express.

Miguel continued, "So, how was the funeral?"

Theo shrugged, trying to find the right words. "As good as any funeral can be," he said, the heaviness of the statement hanging in the air.

"Yeah..." Miguel replied, his voice trailing off, not wanting to push any further.

Theo felt a momentary silence settle between them, and he quickly shifted the conversation. "So, what happened around here while I was gone?"

"Not much," Miguel said with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Your mom and grandpa are tough, but, uh, they know what it takes to win."

Theo appreciated Miguel's attempt at normalcy, but it was hard to ignore the contrast between the dojo's vibrant atmosphere and the turmoil inside him. He knew that life had moved on for everyone else, but he felt frozen in time.

His thoughts drifted to Elise, who had returned to her routine almost immediately after the funeral. He understood her need to distract herself. "What about my mom?" he asked, curiosity laced with concern. "How's she holding up?"

Miguel glanced around as if searching for the right words. "She's been... busy. Just trying to keep everything running smoothly, I guess. I think she's handling it in her own way."

Theo nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for his mother. He knew how much Tommy had meant to her, and he could only imagine the weight of her grief. "I get it. We all cope differently," he said, almost to himself.

"Yeah," Miguel agreed, looking thoughtful. "If you ever need to talk or anything, you know I'm here, right?"

"Thanks, Miguel. I appreciate it," Theo replied.

Tory gave his hand a comforting squeeze again, and he turned to her, seeing the encouragement in her eyes. "Maybe we should join the rest," she suggested gently, trying to help him ease back into the routine.

"Yeah, that might be good," Theo said, managing a small smile.

"Everybody get your gis on. Training starts in five minutes," said Johnny as he walked out of the office, flanked by Elise and Kreese.

A chorus of confused voices rose from the group. "Gis? What?"

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

Miguel stepped forward. "Nothing is wrong. I just thought we were going to the woods for a special training today."

"What's happening in the woods?"

Kreese, standing off to the side with his usual stern demeanor, chimed in. "Elise and I thought it was a good time to separate the men from the boys. And the girls, too. I suppose."

Johnny's brow furrowed. "How?"

Elise, her voice steady and confident, replied, "Coyote Creek."

Johnny's skepticism showed. "I'm not sure they're ready for that."

Elise shot him a challenging look. "There's only one way to find out."

Hawk stepped forward. "We're ready, Sensei. We want to prove ourselves."

Kreese nodded, his approval palpable. "It's up to Sensei Lawrence. If he says it's okay, then, and only then, is it okay."

"All right, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Tory's grip on his hand tightened as she grinned at him, her excitement infectious. "Come on, this could be fun!" she urged, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Are you sure about this?" Theo asked hesitantly, still feeling the weight of the past few days on his shoulders.

"It'll be great!" Tory replied, her enthusiasm unwavering. "It's a chance to get back into the swing of things, and you'll have me there. Plus, it might help clear your head."

He took a deep breath, contemplating her words. The thought of stepping outside into the fresh air and engaging in something active was appealing. "Okay, let's do it," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.

"See? That's the spirit!" Tory beamed, and together they moved toward the exit, joining the rest of the students as they began to gather their gear.

Miguel shot Theo a reassuring look, and Hawk was bouncing on his heels, clearly eager for the challenge ahead. As they walked toward the exit, Theo felt a flicker of excitement join the mix of emotions swirling inside him.

Once outside, the sun hit his face, and he inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air. The warmth felt good against his skin, and with each step toward Coyote Creek, he felt a little more alive.

As the group made their way through the woods, the chatter and laughter around him began to drown out the lingering sadness that had accompanied him for days. He glanced at Tory, who was chatting animatedly with Miguel about the training exercises they might do. Her energy was contagious, and he couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"Are you ready for this?" she asked, turning to him with a playful glint in her eye.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Theo replied, feeling a newfound sense of determination.

—————

Theo stood next to Tory, both of them clad in black headbands. Opposite them, Hawk and the other half of the class sported red headbands.

Kreese stepped forward, holding a red and black headband. "Gentlemen, ladies. Welcome to Coyote Creek. You've been split into two teams. Red... and black."

Elise took a step beside him. "The goal is to capture as many headbands as possible from the other side. Today, the people across from you are not your friends. They're not your brothers or your sisters."

Kreese's voice boomed, "They are the enemy. The last team standing wins."

Theo exchanged a glance with Tory. They both knew they could hold their own and would be more than capable of working together.

Miguel, wearing a black headband like them, broke the tension with a question. "How do we get the headbands?"

Elise's expression remained stern. "By any means possible. No rules."

Johnny interjected, trying to lighten the mood, "Use your judgment. This is just a training exercise."

Kreese's gaze sharpened. "Correct, but remember, this is your life." He held up one of the headbands, a reminder of what was at stake. "You lose it, you die."

Before anyone could respond, a familiar figure approached, breaking the intensity of the moment. Chubs walked up, sporting a new style that was hard to ignore.

"Hey, guys, sorry I'm late. Traffic on the 118 was a real bitch. Put Coyote Creek into the nav. Nothing came up," he said, slightly out of breath.

Elise's eyebrows shot up. "What have you done to yourself?"

Chubs, undeterred, grinned widely. "Oh, the... I took a little inspiration from Social Scum and you know what, I decided to flip the script, Hawk-style." He shot finger guns at Theo and Hawk, who exchanged grimaces at the display.

"Respect. Heretofore, you can refer to me as Stingray," he declared proudly.

Tory leaned closer to Theo, whispering under her breath with a smirk, "Not going to happen." Theo couldn't help but snicker, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Johnny rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Yeah, all right, Chubs. He's on your team."

Kreese's expression remained stoic, but there was a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Terrific."

——————

The tension in the air was palpable as the teams prepared for the challenge ahead, but for a brief moment, Theo and Tory found solace in each other's company. Standing close together, Theo leaned in, a playful smirk on his face. "So, what happens at the end of this if it's just you and me?"

Tory raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Then I guess I'll have to rip that pretty little headband off your head."

Theo feigned surprise, his eyes widening. "Aw, you think I'm pretty?"

"Asshole," she shot back, her laughter bubbling up.

Without thinking, they found themselves leaning against a sturdy tree, the world around them fading away. In that moment, the chaos of the training faded into the background as they kissed, the warmth of their connection igniting a spark.

But their moment was abruptly interrupted by a voice from the opposite team. "Oh, shit."

Tory pulled back, her eyes narrowing as she recognised the boy standing there, a look of shock on his face. "He's all yours," she said, a blend of amusement and challenge in her tone.

Theo shrugged, a playful grin still on his lips. "Nah. Ladies first."

Tory chuckled, shaking her head. "Such a gentleman."

With a nod, they straightened themselves, the playfulness turning into  determination. In an instant, they charged at the boy, their movements synchronised as they worked together seamlessly.

The boy barely had time to react as they closed in. Tory landed a solid kick to his midsection, causing him to double over, while Theo followed up with a swift jab to his jaw. The boy crumpled to the ground, groaning, sporting bruises and a bloody nose as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

Panting slightly, Theo turned to Tory, both of them wearing satisfied grins. "Guess we make a pretty good team," he said, wiping his hands on his shirt.

"Not too shabby," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Thank you," Tory grinned, snatching the boys headband.

—————

Theo and Tory split up a while back. He was now crouched behind a tree, his heart racing as he watched the chaos unfold. His gaze was fixed on Hawk, who had just leaped down from a nearby tree, landing on top of Mitch.

"What the hell, man?" Mitch exclaimed, confusion written all over his face.

"Sorry, ass-face. Today, you're the enemy," Hawk shot back, a grin spreading across his face as he snatched Mitch's headband. "That makes five kills."

He pulled out Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor from underneath his shirt, holding it aloft as if it were a trophy. Theo's stomach twisted at the sight. He felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he remained hidden, unwilling to reveal himself just yet. Hawk held his ground, a triumphant gleam in his eye.

"Guess I earned my Medal of Honor," Hawk declared, a sense of pride lacing his voice.

—————

Theo silently stalked through the woods, his heart pounding in his chest as he focused on his target: Hawk. He moved with precision, muscles tense and ready for action. Suddenly, he emerged into a clearing, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. Clearing his throat to announce his presence, he waved mockingly at Hawk, who stood there, surprised.

"Finally, a worthy opponent," Hawk sneered, his bravado still intact.

Theo narrowed his eyes. "I know you're one of the ones that trashed my dad's dojo."

Hawk shrugged dismissively. "They're the enemy. I had to put them in their place."

"You have no respect whatsoever for a person's dojo? And to steal a dead man's Medal of Honor? What's gotten into you?" Theo shot back, the anger boiling inside him.

Hawk leaned closer, tauntingly. "What do you care? Oh, I see what this is. That old guy was a better father to you than your real one."

The words hit Theo like a punch to the gut. He growled, memories flooding back to when he was eight years old. Mr. Miyagi had taught him that it was okay to feel angry, but it was how he dealt with that anger that truly mattered.

"Want the medal so bad? Come and take it," Hawk challenged, a smug grin on his face.

With a fierce war cry, Theo charged at Hawk, adrenaline surging through him. Hawk found himself immediately on the back foot as Theo unleashed a flurry of strikes and kicks, his anger fueling each blow.

Theo landed a devastating combination, each hit landing with precision until Hawk finally crumpled to the ground, dazed. Quickly, Theo snatched the Medal of Honor from around Hawk's neck and shoved it into his pocket. As he stood over his fallen opponent, he noticed the rest of the class watching in awe.

Kreese's voice rang out, commanding and sharp. "Finish him."

Theo nodded, determination etched on his face. Without hesitation, he executed a spinning kick that connected with Hawk's head, knocking him out cold. The moment felt electric as he seized Hawk's headband, holding it high. "Team Black!" he shouted triumphantly.

His teammates rushed to celebrate, their cheers echoing through the clearing. Kreese observed with a hint of approval. "Looks like that champ of yours is developing a real killer instinct."

Just then, out of nowhere, Chubs burst from the bushes, catching Theo in a headlock. "You know, the thing about stingrays is, they lie in wait for the perfect opportunity to strike!"

Before Chubs could rip Theo's headband off, Theo reacted instinctively, kicking Chubs in the shin and elbowing him in the gut. Chubs let go, startled. Seizing the moment, Theo unleashed a rapid combination of strikes and kicks that left Chubs groaning on the floor, defeated.

With a swift motion, Theo snatched Chubs' headband as well, holding it up proudly. The adrenaline coursed through him as he basked in the victory, surrounded by his cheering teammates. In that moment, he felt invincible, a true warrior ready to take on whatever came next.

Theo stood tall, adrenaline still coursing through him as he caught his breath. The rush of victory was quickly overshadowed by Johnny's voice cutting through the celebration. "That's not how I taught you to fight."

Theo turned to face him, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "It's how I've been fighting my whole life. What I was taught from the moment I could walk. This isn't a tournament; this is real life."

Johnny's expression hardened, a mix of concern and disappointment flashing in his eyes. "Is that how you want to live your life?"

—————

Social Scum: Epic Records' Next Big Thing

By: Jessica Wang
Published in: Entertainment Weekly

In an electrifying announcement that has sent shockwaves through the music industry, Epic Records proudly reveals its latest signing: the raw and unapologetic band, Social Scum. With their edgy sound and captivating stage presence, this group is poised to take the music world by storm. Featuring frontman Theo, bassist Cami, drummer Freddie, and secondary guitarist Kai, Social Scum is ready to unleash their first EP, set to drop later this month, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation.

Vocal Powerhouses: Theo LaRusso Takes Center Stage

At the forefront of Social Scum's sound is Theo LaRusso, whose vocal range draws comparisons to the likes of rock legends Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, and Axl Rose. With a striking ability to seamlessly transition from haunting melodies to powerful belting, Theo captivates listeners with every note. His dynamic stage presence and emotionally charged performances echo the flamboyance of Mercury while channeling the raw energy of Tyler and the grit of Rose. Whether he's soaring through high-octane choruses or delivering poignant ballads, Theo's voice resonates with an intensity that promises to leave a lasting impact on audiences.

Cami's Bass: The Backbone of the Band

Holding down the rhythm is the incredible Cami Flores, whose skills on the bass guitar are nothing short of extraordinary. With a knack for crafting infectious grooves, she provides the perfect foundation for Social Scum's sound. Cami's playing style is reminiscent of legendary bassists, combining technical prowess with a deep sense of groove that gets the crowd moving. Her contributions are vital to the band's identity, ensuring that every track is both catchy and powerful.

Percussion Power: Freddie Holmes on Drums

The heartbeat of Social Scum lies in the hands of their drummer, Freddie Holmes, whose energetic performances are nothing short of mesmerizing. Showcasing a blend of intricate rhythms and thunderous beats, he elevates the band's sound to new heights. Freddie's ability to switch seamlessly between styles—whether it's hard-hitting rock or more melodic passages—demonstrates a level of versatility that is essential for any great drummer. His dynamic playing ensures that every live performance is an exhilarating experience.

Kai's Guitar: Adding Depth and Texture

While Theo takes the lead on vocals and primary guitar, Kai Parker serves as the secondary guitarist, adding layers of complexity and depth to Social Scum's music. His riffs and melodic lines complement Theo's playing, creating a rich tapestry of sound that enhances the band's overall aesthetic. Kai's creativity shines through in both his rhythm and lead work, providing a solid foundation for the band's heavy sound while also contributing his own unique flair. His presence on stage adds to the band's dynamic energy, making every performance a visual and auditory treat.

A New Era of Rock

Social Scum's first EP promises to be a game-changer, showcasing their unique blend of punk, rock, and alternative influences. With tracks that delve into themes of rebellion, self-discovery, and societal critique, the EP is a reflection of the band's unapologetic approach to music. Fans can expect an exhilarating ride filled with infectious hooks and powerful anthems, further solidifying Social Scum's place in the modern rock landscape.

As they prepare to hit the stage for their upcoming tour, excitement is palpable. Social Scum is not just a band; they are a movement ready to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a rock band in today's music scene. With their undeniable talent and fierce determination, the future looks incredibly bright for these rising stars.

Stay tuned for Social Scum's EP release and get ready to experience a new era of rock that is sure to leave a mark on the industry and fans alike. Don't miss out—you'll want to say you were there from the beginning!